As more and more individuals opt for studio apartments or smaller living spaces, the question of decorating becomes a lot more common. How do you decorate a small living space and still make it look sophisticated and livable?
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Creating a home that is both beautiful and functional is totally possible even in smaller spaces. One clear example of this in interior decorating is the Scandinavian styled home.
Scandinavian interiors are not only sleek but they are also functional by design. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about how Scandi interior design is a great option for anyone struggling to decorate a studio apartment or small living space.
In the past year or so we’ve also seen a major spike in interest for interior decorating and home furnishings. More and more people want to feel good about their personal space and are becoming much more intentional about how they go about decorating and styling. Even younger individuals are taking an interest in creating a more chic and cultivated living space.
While it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to decorating a studio apartment or a traditionally smaller living space, Scandi interior design should offer plenty of takeaways. In today’s studio, we want to show you how Scandinavian interior design and decorating can truly transform studio apartments and small living spaces using elements of the design style. Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have some direction and especially inspiration on how to decorate studio apartments.
What is Scandinavian Design?
Scandinavia, you may know, encompasses Norway, Denmark, Sweden and only these countries. When we refer to Scandinavian design you’ll understand that we are referring to an interior style that started in this part of the globe.
Scandinavian design has had a long history and various movements that have both evolved and shaped elements of the design style that exists today. Such elements of the design are functionality, minimalism, high craftsmanship, simplicity, clean lines, and a connectedness to nature to some degree.
Let’s check out how these studio apartments used elements of this design style to create a functional and beautiful space.
Open Space Concept
Organizing your studio apartment or small living space in a way that creates more openness and air flow is crucial. You can embrace your open living floor plan or decide to create separation in your space. Both floorplans work with Scandinavian design as long as you keep that breathable factor in mind throughout your design.
Since you will run into this sort of floorplan with most studio apartment layouts, it’s helpful to know what the goal is in your space. If you maintain that feeling of openness, you avoid creating a confined and cramped space. At the same time confined spaces have their own purpose and can be great ways to define different areas in a room.
Color Palette
In Scandinavian interior style you’ll often find that it favors generally a warm neutral color palette. This design style is all about creating warmth and simultaneously a lot of light, brightness and the feeling of allowing air to flow through the space. You’ll see lots of earth and neutral tones in these homes as well as lots of whites, light grays, bluish tones too.
And while some color can be incorporated into these spaces, they typically would be soft and understated such as muted tones. You would however, see a contrast of light versus dark neutrals quite often in this design style. In fact, contrast is one design principle that you’ll see quite a bit in a Scandi styled home. Studio apartments are no challenge for this design style.
Natural Light + Added Light
Natural light in Scandi homes is definitely a primary source of light in a living space and is usually accentuated by large windows free of any window treatment. Conversely window treatments that are used are light, airy and breathable and of a natural material such as linen. The color palette of the home also reflect light and aids in the overall brightness as well.
Light fixtures in these spaces are usually simple and add warmth and character to a space without creating any extra clutter. Pendant lamps or minimalist lighting fixtures are pretty common in Scandi interiors.
Home Furnishings
You’ll notice that Scandinavian furniture tends to be very similar to Minimalist in that they are streamlined with clean lines, simple and not bulky by any means. The furniture in this design style is characterized by a sleek and modern aesthetic favoring lots of organic shapes.
Functionality and craftsmanship also go hand-in-hand when it comes to this interior design style. You may also notice a lot of wood and warm woods used in Scandi interiors as well.
Because Scandinavian design originated in a cold climate, adding various layers of warmth became key in the Scandi interior design. One way this is done is by using a multitude of textiles, natural materials and textures in a space to create a cozy atmosphere full of warmth.
You may have read our article on 6 Hygge Elements That Will Elevate Your Small Living Space if not check it out. While hygge is in fact a Danish word, the sentiment as it relates to interior design is the same in that it’s all about creating a feeling of coziness.
Decor accents also add another layer of interest to the Scandi interior style. In the same vein, decor accents and decor accessories are simple in design.
Tips To Get The Scandi Look
#1 Choose A Neutral Color Palette
Start with a neutral color palette. Luckily with the Scandi interior design style in mind, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Neutrals are by no means limiting and you’ll have many options as far as whites, grays, neutrals and muted tones are concerned. This color pallet can make small spaces look bigger and brighter, but also adding that element of depth. Neutral colors can also add to the overall ambiance and mood of your space. Check out our article on
6 Reasons To Pick Neutral Colors For Your Small Apartment.
#2 Organize Your Space
You can truly maximize and elevate your small living space just by organizing it in a way that makes the most of the space available. If you haven’t already read our article on 10 Ways To Organize A Studio Apartment To Maximize Space then check that out for more tips. Like we explained in that article it’s all about making the most out of the small living space. We discuss things like taking advantage of natural light, keeping your furniture elevated and drawing attention upwards to elongate your small room space visually.
But basically what it boils down to is visualizing your living spaces, breaking them down to function, and then arranging your furnishing around those living spaces.
#3 Choose Simple and Sleek Furnishings
Next be sure to choose furniture that is simple in design and also not bulky. This way we can maximize our small living space and can avoid any feeling of clutter. Choose quality pieces of furniture too if you can afford to invest in pieces you will want to keep around for a while. In fact all of your home furnishings should follow the same theme including your home accessories , decor accents even wall art.
Check out Modrn Scandinavian Botanical Framed Art Print
Check out this
Safavieh Home Bandelier Light Natural and White Leather Woven Accent Chair
#4 Go For Minimalist Light Fixtures
Light fight fixtures in your space can act as both task lights as they typically are in a Scandi home. However, light fixtures or lamps even can be a sculptural element to your space as well. Check out these half dome table lamps that are both functional and stylish.
Check Out The Joy Clay Table Lamp by Leanne Ford
#5 Add Texture and Textiles
Remember we want to create a cozy atmosphere and warmth so to do that you need to add more textiles to the mix. Add some throw pillows to your sofa or layer throw blankets onto your bed. You can use sheepskin rugs to your floors or even your chairs. Adding different textures and materials is also key. Use linen for your window treatments or even table cloths. Use leather for your accent chair or even your hardware. Pale woods are also pretty popular and are great for benches tables or coffee tables.
Check Out ICELANDIC SHEEPSKIN THROW
Hopefully today’s article gave you some inspiration for decorating your studio apartments and other small spaces. Creating an elevated interior design space in any home is possible including small homes. And this just goes to show that Scandinavian interior design has got small space design down to a science.
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